It's a pleasure to introduce you to both Angela Hasted and Keenan Boliek-Poling. But first, the good news of the week....

GOOD NEWS OF THE WEEK

We spotted this online and had to share. The video just posted and it already has millions of views. God bless that bus driver who sensed something was wrong, and made it right.

Do you have any good news to share? Please send your stories to us and we'd love to hear from you. Who knows? Your story just might be next week's Good News of the Week, inspiring others and giving us all hope that there are more good people in the world than what we hear on the nightly news.

PRO CORNER: Angela Hasted

Angie learned how much she loves helping people with their homes after 10 years at Finishing Touch, the go-to place for Los Alamos home decorating. Six years ago she was hired as the store manager of of Raby Home Solutions in Santa Fe, and she talks about all things flooring related (thus the title of this week's podcast). A few of the topics we covered... Tile: ceramic or porcelain? Wood: real or engineered? Is the advice for anyone or does it change regionally? Can you install engineered wood on radiant heated slab? How much extra do you order? Angie is a wealth of information.

If you're doing a project small or large, stop in and see Angie Hasted at 2911 Cerillos Road in Santa Fe. Whether you're DIYing it, or need their expert installers, she'll help you through the process. Phone 505.471.8908.

YOU ASKED - WE LISTENED. We've received many questions about flooring, so we brought in Angela "Angie" Hasted, a flooring expert.

GIVING BACK: Keenan Boliek-Poling

Click for link to Habitat / AmeriCorp information

We can't wait to see what's next on the horizon for Keenan.

After graduating from University of New Mexico, Keenan wanted to give back, and AmeriCorps was the answer. He is now wrapping up his term as AmeriCorps Construction Crew Leader at Santa Fe's Habitat for Humanity. His gentle demeanor and giving heart also "floored" us. Hear about the national build event, affordable housing, and more.

AmeriCorp offers the opportunity to be of service, earn a living wage while you serve, and then receive a scholarship to use for education (pay off student loans, or towards future education, etc.). What an excellent way to give back to communities right here in the US! This particular partnership between AmeriCorp and Habitat combines two of the causes near and dear to our hearts - giving back and helping families get into affordable housing. Win-win. For more info visit AmeriCorps. Are you or a loved one looking to give back here at home in the U.S.? Explore AmeriCorps / Habitat partnership.

Note to Keenan: Best of luck in the Master of Architecture program starting next month. We'll be keeping our eyes on you, for we are sure you are destined to have a great impact on this world.

GOOD NEWS OF THE WEEK: Street Symphony

click for link

Every week we feature some good news, highlighting the best in humanity. This week, it's the Los Angeles Street Symphony, bringing the healing power of live music to those who need it most. Homeless, and incarcerated folks are transformed by the stunningly beautiful sounds of this sweet symphony.

BE YOUR OWN DESIGNER: You must fill your home with these three things

Alana presents budget friendly ways to make your house more of a home. They're so budget-friendly in fact, that they cost you nothing. Nada. Zip. Rather than stressing over your next big home goods purchase, instead gather loved ones and create #memories at home. Instead of agonizing over what artwork to have installed, snip some beautiful blossoms from your garden and enjoy the bounty of #MotherNature on your entryway table. What is the best element to add to your home? #Laughter. You'll want to hear this week's tip.

PRO CORNER: Rob Lochner of Habitat for Humanity of Santa Fe

Rob Lochner started helping people with their homes when he was just 13 years young. Fast forward today and he is now the construction manager at Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity.

​Hear him talk about how #EnergyEfficient the Habitat homes are. If you have a heart for giving back, volunteer at your own Habitat for Humanity in the U.S. or help with their Global Village program. You can also support them by donating and shopping at their ReStore (one of our favorite places!)

​Call Santa Fe's Habitat at 505.986.5880

GIVING BACK: Ron Hidalgo of Silver Horizons New Mexico

Ron Hidalgo

What do you have in your wallet right now? $5? That five dollar bill would feed a low income NM senior for five weeks. You read that right... five weeks! This is possible due to the efforts of Ron Hidalgo. the Executive Director of Silver Horizons of New Mexico.

Every month Silver Horizons feeds seniors, provides utility assistance and offers help with home repairs. For information on how you can help, call Ron at 505.800.1400 or email him at Ron@SilverHorizons.org

​Between now and Father's Day next Sunday, Walgreens of NM is collecting donations for Silver Horizons. To learn more CLICK HERE to view brief video on this outstanding organization. Do you have an extra $5 to help? Get to your local NM Walgreens and say, "I care about seniors."

This week's music: Do Something (see below).

Go out and BE A LIGHT... at home, at work and in your own community. Give us a thumbs up and share with your friends.

BE YOUR OWN DESIGNER TIP: Popcorn Ceilings

We love popcorn. (Extra butter, please.) But what do you do if you have popcorn ceilings?

Beyond scraping off the popcorn, (which is not fun!) there are some great options to cover up that lumpy, bumpy, cottage cheese looking ceiling. Metal panels are a reference to the glory days of the Victorian era. The look can be surprisingly elegant in a modern interior. MDF wood look planks are especially beautiful when combined with wood beams. Bead-board for a fresh take on the cottage look. Drywall, using ceiling grade gypsum board (which is lighter than traditional drywall.) And then there's plain old fashioned wood, like our previous guest #DIY Steve used for his own ceiling.

​Thankfully there are many options beyond scraping off the old popcorn ceilings. Things are looking up indeed.

PRO CORNER: Deborah Trouw

​Deborah Trouw of Waddel & Reed, Inc. brought us information about financial planning. Some of the topics covered include assisting people managing their parents' estate, whether you need to be a homeowner to see a financial planner, and more. Be sure to listen for how Deborah likens financial planning to furniture arranging!

​Giving Back: Douglas Maahs

It is true. Doug owns D. Maahs Construction. Yes, he is the founder and former president of Honey Do Home Repair, Kitchens & Closets Too, a multi million dollar contracting and cabinet firm. Doug Maahs was also President of the Santa Fe Area Homebuilders' Association. 2012 Builder of the Year and 2013 Parade of Homes award winner for Best Kitchen & Best Craftsmanship? That was him. Eleven time category winner and 2 time Grand Award winner in the excellence in remodeling Showcase. You guessed it. Doug Maahs. But that's not why he was invited to be on this week's show.

To give back to the community, Doug Maahs now is also the Chairman for the Board of Advisors' for the beloved Santa Fe tradition, St John's College Music on the Hill. Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, this family-friendly six week free concert series kicks off Wednesday June 14th. Bring the family and a picnic, and kick off your shoes and dance to the setting sun. That is our kind of Santa Fe experience every vacationer will enjoy.​

About Make Your House a HOME show

There was always something to uplift and inspire you on Make Your House a HOME show. We showcased good ideas for your home and your life. By listening to this podcast, you join an international group of listeners who share a desire to beautify their homes, and make their communities better places to live, one compassionate act at a time. To date, we've had 172K podcast listeners in now a total of 47 countries.

Alana Light helped you make your house a home with weekly BE YOUR OWN DESIGNER tips. She also talked with people who are GIVING BACK / PAYING IT FORWARD, making the world a better place. You heard from professionals whose tips and expertise will bless your home in PRO CORNER. We also celebrated listeners' successful DIY home improvement projects in "YOU DID IT" segments.

The show was heard globally on SantaFe.com, and broadcast on KVSF 101.5 FM, the Voice of Santa Fe.